New handbook aims to demystify CPT for UK market

Routine use of CPT data for the design of spread and piled foundations is not as widespread as in the rest of Europe.

Leading CPT contractor Fugro puts this down to dependence in the UK on 'traditional'' cable percussive drilling techniques, the SPT and laboratory test data.

While authoritative books that summarise the appropriate design methods are available, Fugro believes they can be daunting to use.

To redress the balance Fugro has produced a handbook on foundation design using CPT derived design parameters.

The guide takes a number of standard foundation design situations for spread and piled foundations and presents them as design examples. It also explains how CPT results can be interpreted to give soil stratigraphy, foundation design parameter values together with standard design formulae to give allowable bearing capacity and predicted settlements.

Fugro says: 'It is hoped the notes give a simplified introduction to CPTs and takes away some of the myth of the 'black art', thereby allowing the average design engineer to appreciate the benefits of CPTs and their use in everyday ground engineering working situations.' Copies of the handbook on Foundation Design from Cone Penetration Testing can be obtained in hard copy or PDF format via Fugro's website www. fugro. co. uk or by emailing jwebb@fugro. co. uk

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